The Waikanae Music Society’s August concert, on Sunday 20 August at 2.30pm, features a newly formed ensemble, but one with some familiar and highly regarded musicians. The Ākarana Piano Quartet, touring the country for Chamber Music New Zealand, includes among its members pianist Sarah Watkins, for many years a member of the NZTrio, and Andrew Beer, Concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, both of whom have played in Waikanae before. Also from Auckland Philharmonia are Robert Ashworth, principal violist with the orchestra, and exciting young cellist Chen Cao.
Their programme includes some of the best-loved works in the piano quartet repertoire by Mozart and Dvořák, plus a charming work by Englishman Frank Bridge and a new commission from New Zealander Janet Jennings.
Repairs to the Society’s usual venue (Waikanae Memorial Hall) mean that this concert will be relocated to the Kāpiti Uniting Parish Church in Weka Road, Raumati. Door sales will be available from the usual venues: Waikanae New World and Moby Dickens Books in Paraparaumu Beach. Because the venue is smaller, numbers may have to be restricted so to avoid disappointment concert-goers are advised to buy their tickets in advance. For further booking information go to www.waikanaemusic.org.nz
